Violin-string tightener



1931- F. H. SCHULENBERG VIOLIN STRING TIGHTENER Filed Oct. 10, 1929Fig.1

I I Iv structions is that they interfere with the tone Patented Feb. 17,1931 PAT EN'T OFF ICE FREDERICK H. SCHULENBER(vr, F LIMA, OHIO.

VIOLIN-STRING TIGHTENER Application filed October 10, 1929.

This invention relates to musical instruments, but more particularly toa tightener for the metal E string of musical instruments.

It has been found difiicult to tune the metal E strings of violins tothe proper degree of accuracy by the usual adjusting pegs. A fineradjustment is desirable, and for this purpose adjustable anchors havebeen pro- 1a vided for the end of this string in association with thetail piece. These anchors or adjusters are equipped with means foreffecting a fine and delicate adjustment of the string tension, butheretofore these devices have been found to be impractical, because theyinterfere with the proper sympathetic vibration of the instrument, causedisplacement of the tail piece, and for other reasons. an outstandingobjection to these prior conquality of the instrument, and consequentlyare unsatisfactory.

An object of this invention is to overcome the above difficulties, andto provide a tightcner for violin E strings, which enables substantiallythe full length of the string to be us d, which may be readily andconveniently attached to the tail piece of the violin in such manner asnot to interfere with the,

in anal vibration thereof, and which is effcctive for obtaining fine andready adjustment. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The invention is shown by way of illus- 111' tration in the accompanyingdrawing, in

the line 11- 1 of Fig. 2.

The illustrated embodiment of the invenion comprises a violin 1 havingthe usual '5 the metallic E string 4:. All the strings, with theexception of the E string, are atnating adjacent the inner end.

.2111 piece 2, bridge 3, and strings, including,

Serial No. 398,771.

tached in the usual manner .to the tail piece through openings 5provided therein.

vslit '7 extending a substantial distance therein. The under surface ofthe base 6 is slightly curved to conform to thenormal curvature ofthetail piece 2. Disposed within the slit 7 is a lever 8, which is pivotedintermediate its ends at 9a to the base 6. It will be observed that thepivot pin 9a is positioned closer to the outer than the inner end of thelever. Having screw threaded engagement with the base 6 is a tubularpost 9, a portion of which extends above the upper surface, of the base6, but the greater portion thereof depends from the base 6 and extendsthrough one of the openings 5 provided in the tail piece. The outerendof the post 6 is "provided with screw threads 10 to receive a nut 11,which may be screwed against the underside of the tail piece in order toclamp the tightener securely in position and prevent rattling thereofwith respect to the tail piece. The post 9 is provided with a hollowbore to receive a screw threaded stem 12, which has .a knurled head 13to facilitate adjustment n thereof. The lower end 14 of the stem 12 isrounded, and is engageable with the inner end portion of the lever 8. Inthis instance the post 9 is provided with a longitudinal-slit 15extending from the outer end and termi- The inner end of the lever 8disposed in the slit .15, and

may swing in a vertical plane therein.

The outer end portion of the lever 8 is provided with a hook 16 toreceive the looped A end ofthe E string 4. From the above it is apparentthat by turning down on the stem 12 the lever 8 is moved in a clockwisedirection in order to draw the string 1 toward the tail piece, andthereby effect a delicate adjustment of the string. String-tighteningadjustment may be made until the inner end of the lever engages the nut11, which acts as a stop for this direction of movement. The base 6provides a stopfor limiting the movement of the that the full andnatural vibration of the instrument may be obtained. It will be ap- Iparent that delicate and fine adjustment of the E string may be effectedby a simple turning of the knurled head 13.

While the invention has been described in connection with the metallic Estring of a' violin, it is to be understood that this tight ener may beused to advantage with other string instruments, and the abovedescription is given by way of illustration, and not of limitation.Numerous changesin details of construction, arrangement and operationmay "be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention,especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a tail piece ofa musical instrument, of a stringtightener therefor, said tightener comprising a base mounted on theupper side of said tail piece, a member depending from said base andextending through sa1d tall piece, means 1 onthe outer end portion ofsaid member and 5 engaging the underside of said tail piece for holdingthe tightener in place, the depending portion of said member having anelongate slit, an element pivoted intermediate its ends to said base andhaving its inner end disposed in saidslit, a stem screwed in said memberfor engaging the inner end of said pivoted element, and a hook on theouter end of said element to receive a string to be tightened.

2. A string tightener for musical instruments having tail piecescomprising a base 7 adapted to be mounted on the upper side of the tailpiece, a post projecting downwardly from said base and adapted to extendthrough the tail piece, a stem longitudinally adjustablein said post,said post having a longitudinally elongate slit, a lever pivotedintermediate its ends to said base, a hook on the outer,

end of said lever to receive a string to be tightened, the inner end ofsaid lever extending into said elongate slit and being directlyengageable by said stem whereby adjustment of said'stem in one directioneffects movement of said lever for tightening the string, the pivotalconnection for said lever being closer to the outer end than the innerend, and means on said post for holding said base against movement. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification.

FREDERICK H. SCHULENBERG.

